CALGARY, April 1, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Leaders of various religious denominations expressed their support for Calgary Bishop Fred Henry Thursday – including recognition of the bishop’s right to free speech from a homosexual activist. Bishop Henry called a press conference Wednesday to express his criticism of an Alberta Human Rights Commission decision to entertain two human rights complaints against him for a pastoral letter condemning same-sex “marriage” that appeared in the Calgary Sun in January.
Statements from representatives of the Jewish, Islamic, Sikh and Mormon faiths acknowledged that homosexuality is a sin, and the bishop should be granted the right to express his criticism publicly.
Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE) spokesman Stephen Lock, who said that although he disagrees with the bishop’s views, acknowledged that he should be allowed to air them. Lock labelled Bishop Henry as a “fascist” in January. “Being an equality-seeking organization, we support the Bishop’s right because we support the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Lock claimed, as reported by CanWest News. “It isn’t the gay lobby, quote unquote, that is opposing him on this,” Lock added.
Bishop Henry told the Herald he was surprised by the comments from Lock. “But it’s comforting to know that there is a broad base of support for the Charter of Rights and Freedom’s guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of religion,” he said.
See LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Despite Lawsuits Bishop Henry Refusing to Back Down ‘One Iota’ on Homosexual “Marriage”
Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Catholic Bishop for Defence of Traditional Marriage
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